The time has finally arrived!! I’m extra excited cuz I didn’t have cable when Season One came on, so I had to watch clips online and what not. Won’t be me THIS TIME, though! 
In addition to its regular Sunday morning line-up, BET is airing the PREMIERE of its second season of Sunday Best, the hit gospel talent search featuring Kirk Franklin, Mary Mary, BeBe Winans, and more. The premiere airs at 9pm ET/PT so DO NOT MISS IT. We’re talking about it on Monday!
Plus, for those of you who get BETJ (I do!), they’ll begin airing episodes of Let’s Talk Church, the television talk show recorded at the famed Bobby Jones Industry Retreat. This week’s show is called “Women Seeking Equal Rights in the Church.” Check your local listings for airtimes, but mine comes on at 8am.
Just caught the dicussion on "Let's talk Church," about the woman's place in the Church (God's true Church). So I wanted to comment: Some look at a couple of verses in the New Testament about a woman's place in the worship service and wonder if she is incapable of understanding things on the same level as a man. If the ladies think that, then not only are they misinformed about what God reveals about their spiritual capacity, but they could be in grave danger spiritually. Women: Do you wonder, if your lot in life is "simply" (often not so simple) to feed the family, bear children and maintain the home, why you need to apply yourself spiritually? Does God put you, simply because of your gender, at an intellectual or even spiritual disadvantage? What are the spiritual admonitions about the woman's place in the Church government? "For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints. Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience, as also saith the law. And if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church...Let all things be done decently and in order" (1 Corinthians 14:33-35, 40). "Under obedience" means it is "a voluntary attitude of giving in, cooperating, assuming responsibility, and carrying a burden." That does not reflect on a woman's intellectual or spiritual capacity. The context is things being done orderly in the Chruch, that women are not to be preaching in the Church. This is simply how God decided that our spiritual warfare must be organized. "Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection. But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence" (1 Timothy 2:11-12). Again she is not to teach in the Church, but she is to learn! Women have just as much need to develop spiritually as men do. As verses 9 and 10 illustrate, their spiritual understanding and godly character are the most significant part of what makes them beautiful. 1 Peter 3:3-5 describe a woman's spirituality as her "immortal beauty". Solomon wrote: "As a jewel of gold in a swine's snout, so is a fair woman which is without discretion [understanding, reason]" (Proverbs 11:22). God intended for women to have a tremendous spiritual impact on men. This is a fundamental reason why God created women: to help men build spiritual character. (Proverbs 12:4 says, "A virtuous woman is a crown to her husband..." 1 Peter 3:1-2 show that a wife can have a significant impact on an unconverted husband by her actions. Consider God's initial purpose in creating woman: "And the Lord God said, it is not good that the man be alone; I will make him an help meet for him" (Genesis 2:18). So the first and primary purpose of marriage is to make man and woman complete. Each is incomplete without the other. Man alone was not able to fulfill the purpose for which God created him, was not able to learn the lessons of character which God intended, and so God created the woman as a help to the man. Though men were assigned the role of preaching in the Church and aiding the character development of the members in this manner, the woman was created to aid directly the spiritual character of the man. What's more, as Paul wrote in 1 Timothy 2, "she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety" (verse 15). Though not preaching, she is bearing children, and has the responsibility to teach them to continue in faith, love and holiness. She is contributing to their character development. That is a God ordained role! Modern women might bristle at the words wife, mother and homemaker, thinking them menial and unimportant, God designed that role to be one of the most spiritually influential positions a human being could be in. (Look at what Hannah saw, she knew she had the greatest career God had to offer...Look at the influence two women (Lois & Eunice) had on Timothy...Through Hannah, God reared a prophet...Mary birthed and raised the Word of God in the flesh). These responsibilites could not have been given to reckless women! Women who couldn't think deeply about God's Word, women who didn't know how to mentally stimulate a child! Women in God's Church didn't "preach," but they have the capacity and spiritual means to contribute to the preaching that their husbands, sons or grandsons do as organized by God's government. A woman, as God created her, is an asset, a help, a co-worker, a companion, and an intellectual giant if she realizes her God-given role and develops those abilities. Something to think about: What if women like Hannah, Mary, Deborah, Eunice, Lois and Bathsheba had this attitude: I'm "just" a wife..."just" a mother. I don't need to know these deep spiritual things. I'll just bear children, knit blankets and I won't worry about how strong my mind is or how strong my spiritual life is. These women changed the course of history because they were spiritual and intellectual gaints. Some of their instructions, prayers and even prophecies are in print. They moved the greastest men of the Bible, and their spiritual beauty will be immortalized forever!
Religious titles we should avoid: Christ said: "Do not call anyone on earth your father; for One is your Father, He who is in heaven" (Matthew 23:9). Although there is a flagrant and obvious abuse of this command in some large religious organizations, this statement of God's Word is clear to anyone who wishes to obey it. Our only spiritual Father is God! Any application of this word as a religious title to a man is simply direct blasphemy against the Creator who has made all men...even the weak, corruptible human beings who impudently take to themselves and falsely assume that which is a divine title. Of course, we should call our human parent "father," as God Himself does in the fifth commandment. Another common misuse of the divine name is the application of the term "Reverend" to any human being...be he a minister or otherwise. For God applies this title to Himself alone: "He sent redemption unto his people: he hath commanded his covenant for ever: holy and reverend is his [God] name" (Psalm 111:9, KJV). "Reverend" applies to someone to be revered...someone worthy of worship! No mortal human being is worthy of such a title! Even so great a servant of God as the Apostle Paul himself was inspired to write: "For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh), nothing good dwells" (Romans 7:18). Anyone who considers himself worthy of worship...or deserving of the title "Reverend"...is someday going to have to repent of breaking the third commandment! The Most Common Sin Of All! In teaching His disciples, as us as Christian, how to pray, Jesus Christ set forth the right manner to approach Almighty God and the attitude of reverence in which we should hold His office and His name. In the opening phrases of what is commonly called "The Lord's Prayer," some translations of the Bible are falsely punctuated. After the invocation, Our Father which art in heaven"...the approach of mankind to God...there are three requests linked together, and then a clause following which conditions all three...and not the last one only. The correct rendering would be: "Our Father which art in heaven, they name be hallowed, thy kinddom come, thy will be done, as in heaven, so on earth." The phrase "as in heaven, so on earth" has reference not merely to "thy will be done," but to "thy kingdom come" and to "hallowed be thy name." These thoughts contained in what is called the Lord's Prayer...the hallowing of God's name, the coming of His kingdom, and the doing of His will...are simply different phases of the same thing. For we hallow God's name by submission to His kingdom and government, and by doing His will and obeying His laws. Simply holding the phonetic sound of God's name in reverence is only a small part of fulfillment of the third command. Jesus asked: But why do you call Me, 'Lord, Lord,' and not do the things which I say?" Prayer without obedience is subtle form of blasphemy! The supposedly religious people who talk about religion and God but refuse to obey His Word and His law are guilty of greater sin than those who admittedly go the way of the flesh and at least refuse to pretend otherwise. The hypocrisy of religious donominations and religious people is infinitely worse than the profanity of the street. Praise offered to God that is counteracted by rebellion against His ways and His laws is certainly blasphemy...and it is taking the name of God in vain! One who preaches or prays with eloquence and a devotional attitude, but then proceeds to break the least of God's commandments (Matthew 5:19) blasphemes when he prays! But even if such a one deceives the world, he never deceives God! Speaking of the "religionists" of His day who refused to complete obedience to the will and law of God, Jesus declared: "This people honors Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me. And in vain they worship Me, teaching as docrines the commandments of men" (Mark 7:6-7). In like manner, many today profess God with their lips, but their worship is vain! "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of my Father in heaven' (Matthew 7:21).
I read an article about the conversion of the Church to the world and would like to share: I have a deep concern about the deadly trend of compromise that is paralyzing God's people. While we praise God for the thousands that are still coming to Christ, we can not at the same time ignore this subtle but deadly conversion of the Church to the world! I heard about a canary that sang an unusually beautiful song. During the summer, it's owner hung the cage in a nearby tree so the bird could enjoy the sunshine and fresh air. Eventually, sparrows began to frequent the tree. At first, the canary was frightened, but soon he bean to enjoy his new companions. Yet through the steady exposure to the sparrows, he gradually lost the sweetness of his song as he began mimicking the dull twitter of his new "friends". I truly fear that what happened to the canary's song is happening to the Church. Though a long series of seemingly minor compromises and constant association with the world, I believe the Church is losing its distinctive message and being slowly converted to the world! When we hear the phrase "world conversion," most Christians immediately picture a great moving of the Holy Spirit that brings about a global acceptance of Christ. But there is another spirit out there that is involved in a different form of evangelism. The devil is ever working to counteract the soul-winning efforts of God by sowing tares among the wheat. And instead of the Church converting the world to Christ, I believe there is frightening evidence that in many areas the Church is gradually being converted to the world! The subtle shift from service to Christ to serving the enemy is happening so slowly many christians are unconscious they have changed teams. This drifting trend can be lethal to our souls. Remember, Jesus said when He returns most professed Christians will be astonished that they are excluded from heaven. Do you remember when John F. Kennedy Jr.'s single-engine aircraft crashed into the Atlantic ocean, killing him and two others? Investigators came to believe that while flying over the blackened ocean on a nearly moonless night, he gazed out the window for reference instead of consulting his instruments. He believed he was flying straight and level, while in reality the plane was making a wide arch downward into the dark sea. He trusted his feelings and neglected to trust his instruments. I fear this is what the Church is doing now! Instead of looking to the compass of God's unchanging word for guidance, we are becoming spiritually disoriented from gazing out the window at the world. And many Christians are unaware that they're flying upside down! The Church continually makes the mistake of determining how holy it is by comparing itself to the world. But as the standards of the world plummet, the standards of the Church tend to follow close behind...retaining just enough distance to maintain the illusion of holiness. For example, when I was growing up, a friend of mine was sent home from school for wearing immodest clothes. But what was unacceptable then is readily accepted in most schools today! We cannot afford to deceive ourselves by thinking that as long as we are holier that the world, we must be pleasing God! Jesus said in Luke 16:15, "For what is highly esteemed among men is an abomination in the sight of God." Another common strategy of the devil is to market Christianity to the world by making a few subtle compromises. For instance, some people attach Christian words to devilish music so the lost will be more attracted to the Church and feel at home. But music is not a neutral medium. Sensual music does not become holy by simply rewriting a few words. And this door swings both ways, as thousands of our Christian youth develop an appetite for worldly music they eventually lose respect for the holiness of God! Another example of compromise is the trend of "dressing down" for Church on sabbath morning to create a more relaxed and familiar environment. People argue that going casual makes visitors feel less pressure to change for Church. In reality, the sense of reverence and sanctity for the Lord, His sanctuary, and the occasion of Sabbath worship, is greatly diminished. Obviously some can not afford formal clothing but it seems a little strange to me that some church members will dress up for their employer, but would dress down for the almighty. Jesus was very clear! We are not of the world, and we should make no attempt to be like the world or make peace with the enemy. Remember Delilah had to lull Samson to sleep before she could neutralize his power. Likewise the devil is trying to sedate God's people with the pleasures of his life. James 4:4 "Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God." 1 John 2:15 "Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him." In the dark ages the liberals in the Church argued, "let's reach the pagans by making a few minor compromises." Soon they were praying to statues, observing pagan holidays, believing pagan doctrines, and idolizing Mary and the priests! Did the Church grow? Absolutely! When the Church lowers its standards to reach the world to create an illusion of salvation without self-denial, the lost will always come in droves. But how likely is it that these new nominal members wlll be saved? Paul said, "examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith" (2 Corinthians 13:5). If minds go blank when someone asks for scriptural reasons for our faith...if members can find little time for devotions, study, and prayer but always have time for TV...if members don't see anything wrong with dining out, shopping, or attending sporting events on Sabbath...when leaders can't detect anything wrong with "Christian rap" and Christian rock" music and prefer the shallow "7/11" songs (where you sing the same seven words eleven times.)...if non-Christian friends don't notice a distinct difference in the congregation's dress, or conversation...maybe this Church is being converted to the world. I believe we desperately need a revival, but that can only come after heartfelt repentance. James 4:7-10: Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse yours hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. Be afflicted, and mourn and weep!...let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up." We need to look to the Word and away from the world!
Thank you Rev. Jones, and B.E.T. A dialouge among christians backed in the word, diverse, yet in his love. Between young ,and old, church leaders,and the congregations. We are equally given a portion of blessing, and struggle in this life,we must direct, testify, admonish,and lift each other, through his word. I watch "Lets talk church" every Sun. morning,what a blessing I receive! Thank you again for the forum,and the spirit I see it presented in. I am from a "scots-presbyterian" church background,and am now an Evangelical. (Italian heritage) No matter, for an hour every Sunday, I join the conversation among believers under the direction of Rev. Bobby Brown. God -Bless the word of our lord, that has the power to change lives. Robin Dimaio Yonkers, N.Y.
Thanks Robin for watching the show "Let's Talk Church" Lots of people like it, as well/ Thanks again to all that comment and watch. Betty Cooper wow you are somthing else. Thanks. Louis
@Louis: welcome to the site! I agree-- "Let's Talk Church" is a valuable show with innovative topics and discussions... I hope BETJ and Dr. Jones keep 'em coming!